The toy that taught an entire generation to care for something that didn't exist is returning soon, and I've never been so excited about the prospect of cleaning up poop. Bandai Co. and Sync Beatz Entertainment are breathing new life and love into the Tamagotchi on Android and iOS.

Mobile phones are the perfect place to raise virtual children. That's what the Tamagotchi was to me in the 90s—I used it to gauge whether or not I'd make a good father. I didn't do so well. Every day I wake up to the sounds of two actual living children I am amazed. When they sleep I poke them to make sure they're okay. Tamagotchi taught me that.

The upcoming app, Tamagotchi: L.I.F.E. (Love is Fun Everywhere) signals the rebirth of toy as lifestyle brand, with all sorts of clothing and accessories launching later in 2013. Expect lots of pink and pixels, which sounds about perfect to me.